Residents, businesses warned about utility, phone service scams

The Utilities and Transportation Commission is warning Washington residents to beware of an ongoing scam targeting homeowners and businesses.

The scammers, who claim to be from a local utility or phone company, threaten to shut off a customer’s service for a past due bill unless they receive payment by wire transfer or a prepaid debit card. Caller ID makes it look like the call is coming from a utility or phone company, even though it isn’t.